WSLC Reports Today -- June 5, 2009

June 5, 2009

June 4: College Bound Scholarship info

June 3: Employer opposition to unions

June 2: UFCW merger; and rally coverage

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Friday, June 5, 2009

Wal-Mart workers speak out, call for action

The day before shareholders of Wal-Mart meet in Arkansas, local Wal-Mart workers in western Washington draw attention to the interest of working people. “Wal-Mart is doing well with billions of dollars in profits last year,” said Barbara Holland from the Renton store. “I am standing up today with my fellow workers, saying we need improved working conditions and decent wages so we can have a better future for our families.” Read more.

► In Wednesday's Washington Post -- Area Wal-Mart workers join effort to unionize -- The UFCW put the spotlight on several organizing campaigns at Wal-Mart stores across the country this week -- in advance of Wal-Mart's annual shareholders meeting today in Arkansas -- as the union renews pressure on the world's largest retailer to increase pay and improve health benefits.

Local news:

► From the PS Business Journal -- West Coast ports' pension costs rising -- Users of West Coast ports are expected to start paying significant new fees on cargo next month, a change that some fear could drive cargo away from Puget Sound ports. The fee would be paid by ocean cargo carriers and terminal operators to cover a $300 million infusion needed by the ILWU pension fund to bring it up to a level sufficient to cover nearly $4 billion in long-term liabilities.

► In today's Yakima H-R -- Radio KDNA still in turmoil -- Eight of KDNA's employees walked out May 16, after two former co-workers were terminated. Strikers claim the two were fired for trying to join a union. Since then, the Granger-based station has been broadcasting with the help of volunteers. Now, a long time board member has resigned, saying the station's director withheld information from the board that would have put striking employees back at work weeks ago. (Also see a May 16 statement from teamsters Local 760 regarding the strike.)

► In today's Yakima H-R -- Farm operators seek protection in Global Horizons litigation -- It’s the latest lawsuit filed against Global Horizons, which faced allegations they broke federal and state labor laws when they imported Thai workers for two Lower Valley farms in 2004 and 2005.

► In today's Olympian -- State waiting on car contracts -- The state is holding off on renewing its contracts with GM and Chrysler to purchase cars until their financial situation is more settled.

► At TheOlympian.com -- Prefers Grange Party? Novoselic takes slap at "Top Two" primary -- Onetime Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic files to run for Wahkiakum County Clerk. In doing so, he has appropriated the name of a private group that backed the drive for a Top Two primary.

Budget cut news:

► In today's Olympian -- State workers shun furloughs -- Gregoire says state workers are interested in taking furloughs to avoid layoffs. But so far, unpaid days off are not being used much. Lawmakers considered budget instructions to pursue furloughs, but state worker unions objected. Says Gregoire: “My goal is to try and work with labor, and ask if people will voluntarily step up with furloughs and other things so that we can maybe avoid some of these layoffs."

► In Real Change -- Basic Health Plan finalizing criteria for who it will cut -- The legislature cut $242 million, or 42%, of its two-year budget, requiring roughly 40,000 of the 100,000 people on its rolls to be cut by January. But the Health Care Authority, which oversees the program, has never had to make cuts before and is scrambling to figure out how to do it -- with the criteria and final number to be cut a moving target that worries health care providers and recipients

► In today's Bellingham Herald -- County administration offers up furlough plan on some employees -- Some Whatcom County employees will be given a choice of taking time off without pay or a pay decrease as the county struggles to cut its budget to address a $7.1 million shortfall.

► In today's News Tribune -- Pierce County to cut budget again -- In its second round of cutbacks this year, the county will cut another $2.8 million and make other budget adjustments.

► In Real Change -- Janitors, students tell UW Regents to rethink cuts -- At an often contentious hearing last week, the university explained plans to fill a $94 million budget gap caused by this year’s cut in state funding: cutting the school’s swim program, moving all its janitors to the day shift, halving the budget of the Women’s Center and closing six departmental libraries.

► In The Onion -- Detroit, Pittsburgh both aim to lose Stanley Cup, avoid expensive victory parade -- "The Steelers' championship parade cost us roughly $6.5 million in street closures, float rental, security expenditures, and sanitation overtime—not to mention the incalculable loss of man-hours for our struggling local businesses," said Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl. "Pittsburgh can't afford to forget how the four Super Bowl parades we had in the 1970s were followed by mill closures, layoffs, and a decade-long recession. Let's go Wings!"

Boeing news:

► At SeattlePI.com -- Members of "Keep Boeing Happy" council named -- The WA Council on Aerospace includes reps of IAM 751 and SPEEA. Its first meeting is June 24.

► From AP -- United Airlines set to restock fleet with Boeing or Airbus widebodies -- The airline confirms it will seek bids from the jetmakers for a major order that could be placed this fall.

► In today's St. Louis P-D -- Politics, planes and preparedness -- On Tuesday, 10 U.S. senators and House members got together in a room in the Capitol and saved the jobs of 900 St. Louisans, 5,000 Californians and thousands more around the country. They did this by deciding to buy eight C-17 GlobeMaster III cargo planes the Air Force isn’t sure it wants.

Employee Free Choice Act news:

► At AFL-CIO Now -- 1,000 business leaders speak out in support of EFCA -- The chorus of voices in support of the Employee Free Choice Act is joined by business leaders who know that workers’ freedom to form unions and bargain is good for them, too. The new coalition, Business Leaders for a Fair Economy, includes entrepreneurs, employers and leaders of businesses large and small who agree that a strong economy is compatible with the protection of workers’ freedom to form unions and bargain. Indeed, these business leaders agree, workers able to bargain for benefits, wages and economic security are the foundation of an economy that works in the long term.

► At Talking Points Memo -- New business coalition pressures Senators to back EFCA -- Business Leaders for a Fair Economy will press Congress in the coming weeks to pass the EFCA.

► In Roll Call -- EFCA supporters form new business coalition -- More than 1,000 business people have endorsed the bill as part of the effort to pressure Congress to pass the legislation.

► In BusinessWeek -- Organized labor's missed opportunity -- Months after helping put Barack Obama in the White House, labor's most important unions are sliding into vicious internecine warfare. The strife has become so intense that the senior Democratic leadership is intervening. At the heart of the dispute -- which some say jeopardizes prospects for passage of the EFCA -- is a three-way fight between the SEIU and two factions of UNITE HERE.

Health care reform news:

► From AP -- Public plan threatens bipartisan health plan -- President Barack Obama's hopes for a bipartisan health deal seemed in jeopardy Thursday as GOP senators protested his renewed support for a new public health insurance plan, and a key Democratic chairman declared that such a plan would likely be in the Senate's bill. (Also see the WSLC's May 15 posting: Public plan option at issue in health care reform.)

► In today's NY Times -- GOP complains about health plan -- Republican members of Congress don't like the size, shape and cost of the emerging proposal, but Democratic leaders say they still intend to push a bill through the Senate this summer. It is likely to include a requirement for people to carry health insurance, subsidies for those who cannot afford it, and a requirement for employers to contribute to the cost.

National news:

► In today's NY Times -- Job losses slow, U.S. unemployment at 9.4% -- The United States economy lost 345,000 jobs in May, the government reported today, a sharp slowing in the pace of job losses that fueled hopes that the economy was on its way toward stabilizing.

► In today's NY Times -- Politics, financial crisis slow drive to privatize -- Once hailed as a win-win for Main Street and Wall Street, the selling of public airports, bridges and roads to private investors looks like a boom that wasn’t. Deals are collapsing. Airy hopes of quick profits are vanishing. And what was touted as a new wave in finance is, for now, barely making a ripple.

► In BusinessWeek -- Indiana teachers vs. Chrysler -- Public pensions file to derail its bankruptcy because it puts unsecured creditors ahead of secured debt holders -- such as their retirees.

► Today from AP -- AP Source: GM to sell Saturn brand to Roger Penske -- No details yet.

► From AP -- Conservatives are more easily disgusted -- People who squirm at the sight of bugs or are grossed out by blood and guts are more likely to be politically conservative. In particular, the squeamish are more apt to have conservative attitudes about gays and lesbians.

Prepare to tear up:

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2009
Local Wal-Mart workers speak out, call for action

The following press release was distributed Thursday by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21, an affiliate of the Washington State Labor Council:

LOCAL WAL-MART WORKERS SPEAK OUT AND CALL FOR NATIONAL ACTION TO IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS

RENTON -- The day before shareholders of Wal-Mart meet in Arkansas , local Wal-Mart workers in western Washington draw attention to the interest of working people. “Wal-Mart is doing well with billions of dollars in profits last year,” said Barbara Holland from the Renton store. “I am standing up today with my fellow workers, saying we need improved working conditions and decent wages so we can have a better future for our families.”

This week is the first time that current Wal-Mart workers have spoken out at events in cities across the country to share stories about what they feel is needed for a productive and respectful workplace. Workers from east coast, Midwest, Rockies and west coast states all say that they desire a stronger voice in the workplace and that they see coming together in a union as an effective way to achieve it.

Individual workers have had different challenges with Wal-Mart. One tragic story that highlights how workers are treated was told by Mary Watkines. She shared a story of a co-worker who earlier this year became very sick, when that worker called to ask for the day off she became so frightened of losing her job she chose to come to work anyway. She collapsed shortly after punching in for her shift at a western Washington Wal-Mart. She was hospitalized and died soon thereafter.

For years, Wal-Mart employees have suffered under difficult workplace conditions. Yet if they tried to improve their situation and unionize, they were often harassed and intimidated. They were told their stores could be closed and their jobs eliminated. But the tide may be turning in favor of worker rights.

Kenny James, a Renton Wal-Mart worker said, “When the President of the United States is saying ‘I don’t mind standing up for workers, and letting Wal-Mart know they need to pay a decent wage and let folks organize,’ that shows there is hope for change.”

Workers across the country have been pushing for the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. This proposal, supported by President Obama, would make it harder for employers like Wal-Mart to suppress workers’ efforts to form a union. This spring Wal-Mart workers traveled to Washington , DC to meet with Congressional members and their staff to share their stories and express their urgent need for economic security.

Kim Quartimon who works in the Federal Way Super-Store and traveled to the nation’s capitol spoke at the press conference and said, “Before we went to DC we were being required to go to meetings where Wal-Mart was telling us why the union was bad. Since we have been back we have not had those meetings. It shows me that if we stand together, we can face our employer and not be afraid.”

The press conference was part of a national campaign called Walmart Workers for Change. This effort has the support of UFCW International Union and UFCW 21 in Washington State .

UFCW 21 is the largest private sector union in Washington state representing over 35,000 workers in grocery store, retail, health care and other service sector jobs.